A private, full‑day tour from Calgary that pairs the Royal Tyrrell Museum with the dramatic Badlands — hoodoos, Horsethief Canyon and historic mine sites. Ideal for families, photographers and anyone curious about dinosaurs and desert‑like geology.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You pull away from Calgary and the prairie's flat confidence loosens into ridges and gullies; the Red Deer River begins to cut the land into an arrangement of cliffs and odd pillars that seem to argue with gravity.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves short walks (1–3 km total) on uneven terrain
Wildlife
History
The Drumheller area was shaped by marine and riverine environments in the Cretaceous; later, 20th‑century coal mining left cultural landmarks like the Atlas Coal Mine and the Star Mine Bridge.
Conservation
Hoodoos and fossil sites are protected—stay on designated paths, avoid collecting fossils, and follow museum guidance to minimize impact.
Reserve your spot on the From Calgary: Drumheller Badlands Private Tour (Small Group) today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Start early
Leave Calgary mid‑morning to avoid midday crowds at the Royal Tyrrell and to catch softer light on the hoodoos.
Bring layered outerwear
Badlands weather can shift quickly—windproof and insulating layers make short hikes comfortable.
Footwear matters
Choose sturdy shoes with grip for uneven interpretive trails and loose shale around canyon rims.
Hydrate and protect
Bottled water may be provided, but carry extra and use high‑SPF sunscreen; shade is limited.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Support and grip for rocky, uneven Badlands trails.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Open ground and reflected light make sun protection essential in warm months.
summer
Windproof layer
Light but warm protection for cool, gusty canyon rims in spring and fall.
spring
Camera or binoculars
For fossils, wildlife and panoramas — telephoto handy for distant views.